Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Homedale Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison

BOISE –Danny Mercado, 28, of Homedale, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 40 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Mercado to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison. Mercado pleaded guilty on March 22, 2016.

According to information presented in court, Idaho State Police officers received information that Mercado was in possession of a firearm. On May 21, 2015, police officers and Idaho Department of Probation and Parole officers went to Mercado’s residence because another resident of the home was on probation. During a check at the residence, police officers saw a handgun in Mercado’s bedroom. After obtaining a warrant to search the residence, officers seized the loaded handgun that was identified as a Taurus .45 pistol. The pistol had an obliterated serial number. Officers also found additional items including Mercado’s wallet, scales, baggies, surveillance cameras, and items indicative of methamphetamine manufacturing.

In determining his sentence, Judge Lodge found that Mercado possessed the .45 pistol in connection with the felony crime of manufacturing methamphetamine. Judge Lodge also found that Mercado’s prior conviction for attempted strangulation in 2006 was a crime of violence.  Mercado was also previously convicted of kidnapping in 2006. Mercado was prohibited from possessing firearm because of those prior felony convictions.

The case was investigated by the Idaho State Police, Idaho Department of Probation and Parole, and the Homedale Police Department.